• London
    • All
    • Plays
    • Musicals
    • Dance
    • Performance
    • Cabaret
    • Circus
  • Edinburgh
    • All
    • Plays
    • Musicals
    • Dance
    • Performance
    • Cabaret
    • Circus
  • Rest of World
  • Features
  • Team
  • Contact
  • Follow Us

  • Home
  • London
    • All
    • Plays
    • Musicals
    • Dance
    • Performance
    • Cabaret
    • Circus
  • Edinburgh
    • All
    • Plays
    • Musicals
    • Dance
    • Performance
    • Cabaret
    • Circus
  • Rest of World
  • Features
  • Team
  • Contact

Can’t Stop Can’t Stop, C Royale, review

August 16, 2018

A one-man autobiographical exploration of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Can’t Stop Can’t Stop is a short but effective journey into the world of Sam Ross (its author and performer) at C Royale.

Sam Ross’ self-penned Can’t Stop Can’t Stop explores his own experiences of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder in a short but effective autobiographical solo performance. Ross explains, through various media, what it’s like to live with the condition: from scientific facts and definitions to his own coping mechanisms and personal experience with therapy.

We soon learn that OCD’s different for everyone and, contrary to the general opinion, isn’t just about keeping things neat and in order or washing your hands too much. Sometimes it can take the form of a sign on the floor that you should not touch, or a voice that tells you that you are to hurt yourself or the people you love. That being said, the show isn’t ‘full-on’ for its entire duration: Ross has good comedic timing and at one point takes out a ukulele to sing a song about the condition.

Everything’s perfectly timed and safely rehearsed: there are screams, fast-paced monologues, rituals and movements but the border lines of the performance space are never crossed and it feels a safe process both for the audience and performer. Ross’ story also allows for commentary on the therapy and what kind of resources are available for someone with OCD; after a long section where he re-enacts his first few sessions with his doctor, we find out that it is all made up as Ross is actually still waiting for treatment more than a year after requesting therapy. It’s unbelievably crushing.

Can’t Stop Can’t Stop does contain some content that audience members could potentially find uncomfortable, but is not a show that’s aim is to shock or alienate. I don’t believe it is a cry for help either, or attempt to make us feel pity. It’s an invitation to step into someone else’s shoes, someone suffering from a condition that many have prejudices on. It appeals to our empathy and is an invitation to understand and accept a story that we may well not being able to relate to.

In addition to it being a physical and mental tour de force for the performer, Can’t Stop Can’t Stop‘s text is beautifully written. Even if most of its material is factually recited or embodied, there are passages that show the artist’s ability to go beyond his condition and paint a scene of calm where the world is quiet and everyone is safe, as if contained in a snowball. 

Share

Edinburgh  / Edinburgh Performance  / Featured  / Recommended Shows

Greta April
Greta is a bilingual theatre lover. She lives between Italy and the UK, and she spends time (re)watching Ru Paul's Drag Race while she's travelling between the two countries (Miz Cracker was robbed, I'll fight you over this). The perfect theatre experience for her must include audience participation, laughs and a good level of weird. Throw in a good lighting design and she's yours. This is her first time reviewing at the Fringe and she might have been a little bit too over excited when booking her shows, but she cannot wait to see as much as humanly possible.

You might also like

Miss Fortunate, VAULT Festival, review
March 13, 2019
Black and White Tea Room, Assembly Rooms, review
August 9, 2018
Schism, Park Theatre, review
May 19, 2018

Leave A Reply


Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.


  • Home
  • Reviewers
  • Invite Us